Veterans Cemetery close to reality in West Tenn.

We were glad to hear the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announce its intention to give the state approximately $6 million to cover construction costs of the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads.

The state has received a letter of intent from the federal government about the funding, but the expenditure is certain until Congress passes the 2016 budget.

We hope Congress includes the money in the budget and that the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs fulfills its promise to give the state the much-needed money.

Approximately $1.1 million in state and local funds was used to purchase the 132 acres for the site. The federal dollars would cover all construction expenses for the cemetery.

Preservation of the Parkers Crossroads Civil War Battlefield began in 1994. This site is now a state-owned park with a self-guided driving tour and over 2 miles of paved walking trails. More than 40 interpretative signs help educate visitors about the battle that took place there on Dec. 31, 1862.

In 2001, through a grant provided by the Tennessee Wars Commission, the battlefield was designated on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first 56 acres of core battlefield were purchased and title granted to the State of Tennessee, according to the Parker’s Crossroads Battlefield website.

We applaud the emphasis being placed by the federal government and the state to honor veterans and their families in the West Tennessee area. Likewise, we applaud the group of West Tennessee residents who have work so hard to make this cemetery a reality. The cemetery will provide thousands of soldiers resting places close to their families.

If funding is approved, the cemetery becomes the first state veterans cemetery in a rural part of the state, serving 45,000 veterans in 17 counties. There are only four other state veterans cemeteries: one in Memphis, one in Nashville and two in Knoxville.

Veterans and their loved ones can preregister for plots at three of the four state veterans cemeteries. Preregistration for the cemetery in Parkers Crossroads won’t be open until 90 days before the cemetery opens.

Any additional local funds raised will be put toward constructing a committal chapel on the cemetery grounds.

If you are interested in helping with the land acquisition, make checks payable to West TN State Veterans Cemetery, P. O. Box 1334, Lexington, TN 38351.

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey’s, House Speaker Beth Harwell’s and the Tennessee General Assembly’s lack of leadership and urgency and failure to expand TennCare under the Affordable Care Act are bringing misery to an estimated 280,000 Tennesseans who could have received health insurance, including an estimated 30,000 veterans. Meanwhile, the financial stability of hospitals is at risk, and workers could lose their jobs. It is costing Tennesseans an estimated $2.5 million per day. The loss to date is: